Justification of Nozzle Parameters of Jet-Type Washing Machines for Cleaning Agricultural Machines and Units

Abstract

Agricultural machinery and equipment are exposed to significant contamination by various types of pollutants, some of which can be easily removed, while others require the use of special cleaning agents and machines. To remove these contaminants, a pressurized water jet is used, the biggest disadvantage of such devices is the significant water consumption, so the issue of intensifying the cleaning process of agricultural machinery using a limited amount of water is an important scientific task. Cleaning of agricultural machinery and units from contaminants is a complex technological operation, therefore, there is a need to develop and justify the parameters and operating modes of a high-tech washing device that would ensure high-quality removal of all types of contaminants with high efficiency, minimal water consumption and minimal labor costs. The analysis of cleaning technologies showed that water jet cleaning is the most promising for removing dirt from the surface of agricultural machines and units, the technology allows to increase the level of mechanical impact by using additional energy, which can be the energy of a rotating jet. The study examines the efficiency of cleaning washing plants from various contaminants. The main focus is on studying the impact of nozzle design on the quality and productivity of the washing process. Nozzles determine the shape of water jets and their velocity, determining the cleaning efficiency. The dagger and fan nozzles, their advantages and disadvantages are considered. Nozzle parameters such as orifice diameter, spray angle, and number of fan jets are investigated. It is shown that properly selected nozzle parameters play an important role in achieving the optimal cleaning effect and water saving. Factors such as flow coefficient, drag coefficient, and velocity coefficient that affect the performance and energy of the jet are outlined.